Religious Services at Kol HaLev

Services at Agnon School

Shabbat Morning Services

At 10:30 am on the first and third Saturday mornings of each month we hold a Shabbat morning service in the sanctuary of the Agnon School. (Should a Bar/Bat Mitzvah be celebrated that morning, our service is will usually be held in a larger setting - the auditorium of the Siegal College of Judaic Studies.)

Our services reflect the spirit of Kol HaLev, with its blend of lay and professional leadership and the warm welcoming of guests. We use the Reconstructionist Kol Haneshamah siddur which has Hebrew, with full egalitarian translations, extensive transliterations, and a large selection of contemporary poetry and readings.

Services are preceded by Torah study for adults which begins at 9:45 am and lasts 45 minutes. The Torah portion for each Shabbat is noted on our calendar. We have humashim for the reading and study of the Torah portion, donated in honor of our Founding Rabbi Jeffrey Schein. The first Saturday morning's service is also preceded by group meditation, led by a member.

For a guide to our Shabbat morning service, click here.

The morning ends with kiddush (blessings for wine and bread) and conversation among members and guests. For Kiddush instructions, click here.

We provide a Shabbat educational experience for children. To learn more, click here.

Friday Evening Services

At 8:00 pm on the fourth Friday evening of most months we hold a Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming Shabbat) service in the sanctuary at Agnon School. Each service supplements the traditional prayers with choices made by the service leaders. There may be discussion of a topic, meditation, additional songs, poetry and readings. These services are almost entirely musical with very little speaking. Occasionally, we will precede the service with a family potluck dinner and singing. The evening ends with an Oneg Shabbat (literally 'joy of the Sabbath') - a kiddush (blessings for wine and bread) - and a time for conversation for members and guests.

Fourth and Fifth Shabbat Services

Living Room services (Shabbat morning services held in a less formal setting, often at the home of a member) are now held periodically throughout the year rather than monthly. Some will be followed by a potluck lunch. These services are a wonderful way for members to pray together in an intimate setting and also a great opportunity for members to learn how to lead a service in a much less intimidating setting. They are completely lay-led — Rabbi Steve will not be attending, although he is available to help in your preparation of the service.

Our fourth and fifth Shabbat services will now be focusing on four types of services:

Book of Blessing services:
We will hold these three or four times a year. Our first service based on Marcia Falk’s reworking of the traditional liturgy was one of our best-attended non-Agnon services. We believe these services will help meet the needs of many Kol HaLev members.

Meditation services:
These will be held several times throughout the year and will provide another opportunity for people who wish to explore their spirituality in a less traditional and formal way.

Holiday focused services:
In those months when holidays occur, we may have services that will educate and explore the themes particular to those holidays.

Intergenerational services or gatherings:
These may be Shabbat morning services or Shabbat afternoon programs that include storytelling, singing, a third meal and havdalah. These services will offer more opportunities for all of our generations to spend time together in community.

Fifth Shabbat:
In months when there is a fifth Shabbat, we plan to hold Shabbat morning services at Council Gardens. This is a beautiful space for our service and an opportunity for us to get to know the Council Gardens community and to bring the KHL ruach (spirit) to them!

Healing Services

Our Healing Services are held on request in the early evening on a weekday at the home of a member. Usually about an hour long, they include simple ceremonies, quiet prayer, meditation and the optional sharing of personal concerns in a small group setting. Members interested in being part of a Healing Service are asked to contact Rabbi Steve.

Holidays

We celebrate many holidays in prayer together and gather together to observe holidays such as Hanuka, Purim, Simchat Torah and Sukkot. (For a view of some of these happy multigenerational times, with a focus on the children of the community, visit the "Album" section of this web site.)

High Holy Days

We welcome those who are not members of our community to share the High Holy Days with us as members for the month of Tishri - from Selichot through Sukkot. To learn more about Tishri Membership, click here.

Unlike Shabbat services where walk-in guests are welcome, for the High Holy Days we require pre-registration. Our prayerbook is the Reconstructionist Mahzor Leyamim Nora'im. (prayer book for the Days of Awe). It is an inclusive, comprehensive volume for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services; one that is rooted in the traditional Hebrew liturgy, yet fully contemporary. The Mahzor, which can be purchased at Merkaz Judaica, is a book with so many thoughtful readings that some members read it as a way to prepare for the High Holy Days.

Information for Visitors

We welcome visitors at our Friday evening and Shabbat morning services at Agnon School. Dress is casual. Kippot (head coverings) are optional. On Shabbat mornings adult Jewish men and women are welcome to wear a tallit (prayer shawl). Young children are welcome. We have kippot, tallitot, and siddurim available for use by members and guests. Visitors for the High Holy Days must be pre-registered.

Non-Jews are welcome to attend and to participate. Our policies limit only a few forms of participation to Jews.

We ask that no photographs or videos be taken during services.

Agnon School is at 26500 Shaker Boulevard, Beachwood on the south (eastbound) side of Shaker Blvd, 0.2 mile east of Richmond Road. Shabbat morning services which include Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations are usually held in the auditorium of the Siegal College of Judaic Studies which occupies the eastern half of the building used by Agnon School. For a map, click here. On evenings and weekends the door to the Agnon School is kept locked. If the door is not attended when you arrive, use the portable phone in the entrance. Someone will come to the door to admit you.